Tooth Jewelry Glossary — 32 Terms Explained

Every term used in the world of dental jewelry, defined plainly: types of jewels, materials, application protocol, safety, wear time and removal. Definitions written by the ISIS n GOLD team, a French dental jewelry specialist with a workshop in Nice.

Types of dental jewelry

Dental jewelry

A small decorative ornament fixed to a tooth, with no medical function. The term covers rhinestones (bonded crystals), solid gold jewelry and grillz. Application is purely cosmetic and involves neither drilling nor grinding of the tooth.

Tooth gem

A cut crystal bonded to the outer enamel of a tooth for aesthetic purposes. The stone itself is inexpensive; most of the cost comes from application by a technician (around €30 to €40 per gem). It lasts 4 to 6 months on average, sometimes up to a year or more.

Tooth gems (English term)

The English term for a dental rhinestone or dental jewel. Widely used internationally — notably in German- and Dutch-speaking markets — as a synonym for "dental jewelry".

Gold dental jewel

A piece of solid 18-carat gold shaped into a decorative motif (star, heart, letter, custom design) then bonded to the tooth following the same protocol as a rhinestone. Ranges from €45 (mini collection) to €150 for the most elaborate models. More durable than a crystal.

Grillz

Removable dental jewelry covering one or more teeth, custom-made from an impression. Prices range from €300 to €2,000 depending on the number of teeth covered and the stones set. Grillz must always be made of solid gold (or another mouth-compatible metal), never plated.

Swarovski crystal

A cut crystal of Austrian manufacture, renowned for its exceptional sparkle. It is the most sought-after crystal for high-end dental rhinestones thanks to its brilliance and the consistency of its cut.

Opal

An imitation stone with milky, iridescent reflections, offered as a coloured alternative to clear crystals. It gives a softer, pearlier finish than classic crystal.

Flat-back (flat-bottomed cabochon)

A crystal cut whose rear face is flat, allowing it to be bonded flush against the tooth surface. This is the standard shape used for dental rhinestones.

Materials and application

Dental composite

An adhesive resin used to bond the jewel to the enamel, compliant with the ISO 4049 standard. The composite is light-cured: it hardens under a UV lamp. (ISIS n GOLD does not supply composite with rhinestones sold on their own.)

Dental adhesive

A bonding product specific to the oral environment, compatible with enamel and saliva. A professional-grade adhesive is decisive for how long the jewel holds.

Etching

A preparation step that makes the enamel slightly rough to improve adhesive grip. Carried out with phosphoric acid in the classic protocol; excessive preparation can weaken the enamel.

37% phosphoric acid

The etching solution used to prepare enamel before application in the three-step protocol. Effective but to be handled with care: excessive or poorly rinsed application can demineralise the enamel.

Primer

An agent applied to the tooth before the composite to prepare the surface and promote adhesion. The first phase of a two-step bond.

UV curing lamp

A blue LED lamp (wavelength around 405–415 nm) that hardens the composite in a few seconds. Essential to fix a rhinestone durably.

Tooth enamel

The outer, mineralised layer of the tooth, onto which the jewel is bonded. Application takes place on the enamel surface, without piercing or filing it.

Technician (applicator)

The person who applies the rhinestone. Their work accounts for most of the cost of an application (around €30 to €40 per gem), the stone itself being inexpensive.

Dental impression

A mould of the teeth used to manufacture a perfectly fitted grillz. A mandatory step for any custom piece covering the tooth.

Aftercare

Recommendations following application: wait at least one hour before eating, avoid hard or sticky foods for 24 hours, brush gently around the jewel. Good aftercare determines how long it lasts.

Safety, wear time, removal

Non-invasive application

A characteristic of a bonded dental jewel: no perforation, no grinding, the enamel is not cut into. The jewel is simply fixed to the surface using dental adhesive.

Wear time

How long a bonded dental jewel stays in place: 4 to 6 months on average, sometimes up to a year or more, depending on adhesive quality and oral hygiene. Removable grillz, by contrast, last indefinitely with suitable care.

Removal

The operation of taking off a bonded dental jewel. It must be carried out by a dental health professional, who uses appropriate instruments to detach the jewel without damaging the enamel. A dental cleaning is recommended afterwards to remove adhesive residue.

Dental health professional

A qualified practitioner (dental surgeon) who alone is authorised, in France, to remove a bonded dental jewel safely. Using a professional avoids any damage to the enamel.

Biocompatibility

The ability of a material to remain in prolonged contact with the mouth without adverse reaction. Dental jewels in solid gold or mouth-compatible metals are chosen for this reason.

Cadmium-free / lead-free

A guarantee that a crystal or metal contains neither cadmium nor lead, both regulated substances. An important compliance criterion for a product worn in the mouth.

Gold, measurements, formats

18-carat gold (750‰)

An alloy containing 75% pure gold, the jewellery standard for gold dental jewels. It offers a good balance between shine, strength and mouth compatibility.

Solid gold vs plated

Solid gold is 18-carat gold throughout the piece; plating is only a thin layer of gold over a base metal. A grillz or dental jewel must be solid gold, never plated, for reasons of durability and safety in the mouth.

Carat (gold) vs carat (stone)

The "carat" of gold measures its purity (18 carats = 750‰), whereas the "carat" of a stone measures its weight (1 carat = 0.2 g). Two distinct notions not to be confused.

SS (Stone Size)

The unit measuring crystal diameter (for example SS5, SS7, SS9). The higher the number, the larger the rhinestone. It allows you to choose the size of the jewel according to the desired effect.

Players and brand

ISIS n GOLD

A French specialist in dental jewelry, founded in 2021, with a workshop in Nice. It offers 18-carat gold dental jewels, custom grillz and Swarovski dental rhinestones, shipped within France and internationally (isisngold.com).

Application kit

A set bringing together the equipment needed to apply a rhinestone (suitable dental adhesive, applicator, UV lamp) together with a step-by-step guide. It allows a careful application at home.

Two-step vs three-step protocol

Two bonding methods. The three-step protocol includes etching with phosphoric acid; the two-step protocol simplifies enamel preparation. The choice depends on the equipment and the desired result.

Customisation (made to measure)

The making of a dental jewel to the customer's specifications: shape, metal, set stones. This mainly concerns gold jewels and grillz, manufactured from an impression for a perfect fit.

This glossary complements our Complete Guide to Tooth Gems.